Nice job Bucktail
Post your 2019-2025 Fluke Pix & Trip Reports Here!
Late report from Saturday 9-9-23
Spent the day bouncing around the ocean hitting some old and new soft bottom locations looking for those fish that had moved off the hard stuff from the week and a half of swells. Found the kindergarten grounds to the east in 64' of water. Constantly had 2-3 fish on all 12-14".....nothing bigger. Checked another location in 72' of water for just a couple of robins and no bait in the area. Tried some gravel bottom south of my favorite off shore location with plenty of bait and a steady bite of fish to almost 27" boxing 5 for the day. We'll see what happens with this next set of swells and how long they last.
AdmiralOriginal Crew20,417 postsSince 2019
Acting on some excellent intel, Mike and Kevin joined up to give the deep fluke another shot. Word was that big schools of squid had moved into the area we fish and that certainly proved correct. In fact my buddy put a 9.2 in his boat Saturday, along with a bunch of other quality, so we went straight to the numbers he was kind enough to provide. Got there early to a very slow drift and had fish immediately, as long as we stayed tight to the squid. Put three in the box, with a keeper ratio of approx. 13:1 during the mid/late outgoing, and we looked forward to really whaling them when the tide turned. But it was not to be.
As the storm action approached with some truly impressive cloud action and the Wx report got increasingly worse, we looked around and saw we were the last boat out there. Because there were repeated warnings to watch for lightning strikes, and being we were the highest point for miles, I made the call, time to go. Had we taken a strike that fried my electronics and/or ignition system, there was no one to come to our aid. I really doubt the 6-gauge-wired "earth ground" system I put in the boat would be capable of handling THAT kind of electrical surge. Very dubious, indeed. Not to mention, having nearly 100 gallons of high-test gas in the tanks, was another consideration that came to mind.
Watching the storm cells forming on radar and advance directly over us, the winds swung S to NW at a solid 20-25mph with bands of very heavy rain, and some truly rotten 4' confused wave action. So we steamed back to JI at a stately 13mph thru the nasty stuff - arriving safely just as the all-clear was given. I would have considered shooting back out to the HR had the weather improved just a bit more, but enough is enough, the 2023 fluke season is now over for us.
I would have preferred staying out there today, as the fish were certainly snapping, but yeah, um, no - as Kevin said at the time, "Safety first." Anyway, on to the East End monster biscuit fishing with Capt. Mike next weekend. Looking forward to it, actually.
Commodore5,031 postsSince 2020
Had to give it one last try after the blow. Just a few flatties for us yesterday b4 we turned to other species. Blackfish is open in NJ for a ONE fish limit so we made quick work of those. They were voracious, at times hitting my crab on a jig b4 it hit bottom. Got 2 nice triggers on the crabs too. We then started tossing diamond jigs retrieved quickly to get a few Spanish Mackeral. After I caught about half the fish in the attached pic (group of 8) captain says "Larry - I got 2 words for you - Power Ball". So I stopped for tickets on the way home; you know how that ended 🙄
It was a GREAT fluke year for me (despite throwing back many NJ overs to find the keepable smaller slot fish) but I'm sad to say it's over 🙁 Now it's time for our fine fall fishery fun 😀
It was a GREAT fluke year for me (despite throwing back many NJ overs to find the keepable smaller slot fish) but I'm sad to say it's over 🙁 Now it's time for our fine fall fishery fun 😀
Once in a while you can get shown the light
In the strangest of places if you look at it right
In the strangest of places if you look at it right
First MateOriginal Crew286 postsSince 2018
So that's a wrap for the good ship Leprechaun's 2023 fluking adventures. Overall, it was a fine season - about as good as one can expect anyway, given the heavy pressure my home grounds receive, once the fishing really gets rolling.
The top three fish for our year were:
First place - my good friend Mark M., Bassman909 here on NYAngler at 7lbs 9oz:
Second place - My fish at 7lbs 6oz:
And in third place, my regular crew-dude, expert fluke jigger KenScot, a.k.a.: "The Chef" at 7lbs 2oz:
Honorable mention was a tie, by Kevin/Longcast and Capt. Mike Bady - both at 6lbs 8oz:
Thanks to all that fished with me this season - you guys all fished hard and the results showed it!
Now, on to the BLACKFISHING!
The top three fish for our year were:
First place - my good friend Mark M., Bassman909 here on NYAngler at 7lbs 9oz:
Second place - My fish at 7lbs 6oz:
And in third place, my regular crew-dude, expert fluke jigger KenScot, a.k.a.: "The Chef" at 7lbs 2oz:
Honorable mention was a tie, by Kevin/Longcast and Capt. Mike Bady - both at 6lbs 8oz:
Thanks to all that fished with me this season - you guys all fished hard and the results showed it!
Now, on to the BLACKFISHING!
"Luck" is when preparation meets opportunity.
I prefer fishing evolution to fishing extinction.
If ya want to clean up the water, ya gotta get the pigs out of the creek.
I prefer fishing evolution to fishing extinction.
If ya want to clean up the water, ya gotta get the pigs out of the creek.
CaptainOriginal Crew2,216 postsSince 2018
So that's a wrap for the good ship Leprechaun's 2023 fluking adventures. Overall, it was a fine season - about as good as one can expect anyway, given the heavy pressure my home grounds receive, once the fishing really gets rolling.
The top three fish for our year were:
First place - my good friend Mark M., Bassman909 here on NYAngler at 7lbs 9oz:
View attachment 68534
Second place - My fish at 7lbs 6oz:
View attachment 68535
And in third place, my regular crew-dude, expert fluke jigger KenScot, a.k.a.: "The Chef" at 7lbs 2oz:
View attachment 68536
Honorable mention was a tie, by Kevin/Longcast and Capt. Mike Bady - both at 6lbs 8oz:
View attachment 68537
View attachment 68538
Thanks to all that fished with me this season - you guys all fished hard and the results showed it!
Now, on to the BLACKFISHING!
My hearty congratulations to the guys on the top of their game!
I guess I am "Honored to be Mentioned" among these very skilled Fluke fishermen. Thanks for a number of great trips, Pete.
Although we had a few individual fish just a bit larger out east, you are still "Mr. Consistency" when it comes to putting limit catches in the box. Especially tough during a season where most of us struggled to scrape together just a decent catch on most days.
Kudos to Capt. Lep.
CaptainOriginal Crew1,853 postsSince 2018
Let's Go 2024!
Today was the first day I dedicated to Spring prep. I knew that there was play in the prop shaft at the skeg, and it did look as though it was new Shaft/Flange/Cutlass Bearing time, for sure. I've been stressing all Winter over this. Not only is it an easy $2K+ in parts, but a couple of weekends of miserable work as well. And I ain't gettin' any younger, and neither are my beat-up knees.
So anyway, today I got under the boat and gave a good strong wiggle on the prop. Sure enough, a decent amount of play, maybe a bit less than 1/8". Not so good, but way better than I thought. Ideally, it should be zero, with even wear all around the front and rear of the cutlass bearing, indicating that the engine and shaft are in alignment. Well, a close inspection of the old cutlass bearing showed no unusual wear pattern, perfectly worn all the way around, at both ends. That is a good thing.
After a cup of coffee and some heavy consideration of the situation, I decided to just pull the prop and change out the cutlass bearing - taking a shot that it would be enough, sparing me the rest of the drama and expense of the much, MUCH bigger job. I'm no gambler when it comes to boat maintenance, nearly always opting for the "safe and steady" course of boat repairs.
But this time my dice roll paid off. Sure enough, after I completed the bearing install using my home-made hand-dandy cutlass bearing press, there is now nearly zero play in the shaft - maybe 1/32" at worst. Whew! All that stressing all Winter long and it turned out to be a not so bad job after all. A grand total of $79 for the bearing, a bit of 5-minute Devcon epoxy and good to go! Here's the completed job, with me trying to induce some side and vertical play in the shaft.
<video><source></source></video>
I didn't realize I was grunting while leaning on it, geesh I AM getting old!
Now, what to do with the $2K I just saved? Hmmm, maybe 10 more Palmarius rods? I'm sure Dan would give me the "Show Special" pricing for 10 rods! 🙄
Nah, but I really would like another Garmin GPSMAP up on my dash, the 9" version this time, with the full relief shading, bottom obstruction viewing software upgrade. That would be very nice indeed! We shall see. Meantime, there's lots of lesser Spring jobs that I have to get on before I can seriously contemplate that new Garmin.
Today was the first day I dedicated to Spring prep. I knew that there was play in the prop shaft at the skeg, and it did look as though it was new Shaft/Flange/Cutlass Bearing time, for sure. I've been stressing all Winter over this. Not only is it an easy $2K+ in parts, but a couple of weekends of miserable work as well. And I ain't gettin' any younger, and neither are my beat-up knees.
So anyway, today I got under the boat and gave a good strong wiggle on the prop. Sure enough, a decent amount of play, maybe a bit less than 1/8". Not so good, but way better than I thought. Ideally, it should be zero, with even wear all around the front and rear of the cutlass bearing, indicating that the engine and shaft are in alignment. Well, a close inspection of the old cutlass bearing showed no unusual wear pattern, perfectly worn all the way around, at both ends. That is a good thing.
After a cup of coffee and some heavy consideration of the situation, I decided to just pull the prop and change out the cutlass bearing - taking a shot that it would be enough, sparing me the rest of the drama and expense of the much, MUCH bigger job. I'm no gambler when it comes to boat maintenance, nearly always opting for the "safe and steady" course of boat repairs.
But this time my dice roll paid off. Sure enough, after I completed the bearing install using my home-made hand-dandy cutlass bearing press, there is now nearly zero play in the shaft - maybe 1/32" at worst. Whew! All that stressing all Winter long and it turned out to be a not so bad job after all. A grand total of $79 for the bearing, a bit of 5-minute Devcon epoxy and good to go! Here's the completed job, with me trying to induce some side and vertical play in the shaft.
<video><source></source></video>
I didn't realize I was grunting while leaning on it, geesh I AM getting old!
Now, what to do with the $2K I just saved? Hmmm, maybe 10 more Palmarius rods? I'm sure Dan would give me the "Show Special" pricing for 10 rods! 🙄
Nah, but I really would like another Garmin GPSMAP up on my dash, the 9" version this time, with the full relief shading, bottom obstruction viewing software upgrade. That would be very nice indeed! We shall see. Meantime, there's lots of lesser Spring jobs that I have to get on before I can seriously contemplate that new Garmin.
"Luck" is when preparation meets opportunity.
I prefer fishing evolution to fishing extinction.
If ya want to clean up the water, ya gotta get the pigs out of the creek.
I prefer fishing evolution to fishing extinction.
If ya want to clean up the water, ya gotta get the pigs out of the creek.
CaptainOriginal Crew2,216 postsSince 2018
Haah, I did!
Results? Pffft.
Again.
Results? Pffft.
Again.
"Luck" is when preparation meets opportunity.
I prefer fishing evolution to fishing extinction.
If ya want to clean up the water, ya gotta get the pigs out of the creek.
I prefer fishing evolution to fishing extinction.
If ya want to clean up the water, ya gotta get the pigs out of the creek.
CaptainOriginal Crew2,216 postsSince 2018
Small victories buddy....take em while we still can !
Mate65 postsSince 2021
We transitioned from NJ fluking in the Shark River to ocean fluking off Long Branch. It's gr8 that we can keep Seabass until 6/19 because they are everywhere. The fluking hasn't been hot y
Once in a while you can get shown the light
In the strangest of places if you look at it right
In the strangest of places if you look at it right
First MateOriginal Crew286 postsSince 2018
Well.....June already and not a single post about the 2024 Fluking.
I start us off. Finally got the boat back in the water after a long winter and spring of pain and rehabilitation. I couldn't have done it without my friends and fishing partners John and Dan.
The hauler showed up yesterday as promised at 7:30am and shortly after she was floating. Quick check of everything and she was on her way to her summer slip....set up the dock lines and such and it was off to run her a bit and prospect around in the bay to see what's around. First drift was fairly close to the dock and before Dan and I could wet a line, John had several shorts already in the boat. Fished this location until the tide ran too hard against the wind all but eliminating our drift. Bounced around to several early season places I like and after a few hours we had 4 keepers to 24".
Not a bad wat to start the season.
I start us off. Finally got the boat back in the water after a long winter and spring of pain and rehabilitation. I couldn't have done it without my friends and fishing partners John and Dan.
The hauler showed up yesterday as promised at 7:30am and shortly after she was floating. Quick check of everything and she was on her way to her summer slip....set up the dock lines and such and it was off to run her a bit and prospect around in the bay to see what's around. First drift was fairly close to the dock and before Dan and I could wet a line, John had several shorts already in the boat. Fished this location until the tide ran too hard against the wind all but eliminating our drift. Bounced around to several early season places I like and after a few hours we had 4 keepers to 24".
Not a bad wat to start the season.
Mate65 postsSince 2021
We transitioned from NJ fluking in the Shark River to ocean fluking off Long Branch. Not yet a hot bite but size has been impressive. It's good that u can keep Seabass up to 6/19, they're everywhere. Last Saturday I had quite a thrill while fluking , fish went on numerous runs , turned out to be 5' brown shark,,, a thrill when jigging
Once in a while you can get shown the light
In the strangest of places if you look at it right
In the strangest of places if you look at it right
First MateOriginal Crew286 postsSince 2018
Have run a few charters for clients in the early going with some nice fluke up just under 7 lbs on the scale. All fish caught in the skinny water in moriches bay. Slip gut and weeds were real issues early on but have seemed to get a lot better recently.
Here are some of the pictures from the trips. Note* my fun trip with son he got all three keepers and I got 1 short. He wanted to do a contest this year where we count how many keepers and short we catch when we fish together. He has an early lead on me lol.
Here are some of the pictures from the trips. Note* my fun trip with son he got all three keepers and I got 1 short. He wanted to do a contest this year where we count how many keepers and short we catch when we fish together. He has an early lead on me lol.
Mate69 postsSince 2023
Aqualina II
Charter from 6/8
Heavy SW wind made it challenging but we bounced around and got a few here and there and then found an excellent bite in the skinny.
4 man limit of fat moriches bay fluke to 22 inches.
18 keepers in all ORL.
All caught on light jigs.
The bay bite is starting to really get going.
Charter from 6/8
Heavy SW wind made it challenging but we bounced around and got a few here and there and then found an excellent bite in the skinny.
4 man limit of fat moriches bay fluke to 22 inches.
18 keepers in all ORL.
All caught on light jigs.
The bay bite is starting to really get going.
Mate69 postsSince 2023
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